All Saints' Episcopal Church

	Guest Services


	WHEN YOU VISIT

In worship, you will be our respected and welcomed guest.

Our stewards will greet you, and try to meet your every need. They will give you a worship bulletin and you may sit wherever you are most comfortable.

As you enter our sanctuary, you will experience an atmosphere of beauty and reverence. Episcopal churches are built in many architectural styles; but large or small, elaborate or plain, your eye will be drawn to the altar and historical stained glass windows. Your emotions and thoughts will be taken at once to God in this ambiance of holiness.

We observe the traditional Christian worship seasons - Advent, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. Our sanctuary allows you to experience many worship arts, particularly the radiant colors of these changing holy seasons in which time is sanctified.

It is the custom upon entering the church to kneel for a prayer of personal preparation for worship and to avoid excessive conversation. In many churches it is also the custom to bow when entering and leaving the pew. This is an act of respect and reverence for the saving work of Christ and the sovereignty of God.

Standing before the pews, there is a lectern and a pulpit.

All Saints' worship involves the congregation. In the pews, you will find the Book of Common Prayer, the use of which enables the congregation to share fully in worship. We also have Bibles in the pews for study and reflection.

You may wonder when to stand, sit, and kneel. A general rule is that we stand to sing, to say the Creed and for the reading of the Gospel. We sit during anthems, readings of the Bible, and the sermon. We kneel for prayer to show our gratefulness to God for accepting us as His children and as an act of humility before God.

Our main worship is the Holy Eucharist, which means 'thanksgiving', thus the central focus of Episcopal worship is the altar, the saving work of Christ.

While parts of the service are always the same, others change. At Holy Eucharist, for example, two Bible selections are read. These change each Sunday, as do the psalms. Certain prayers also change according to the worship season. Page numbers for parts of the service are printed in the worship bulletin you receive from the steward.

At the end of worship, some people kneel for personal prayer before leaving. Others sometimes sit to listen to the organ postlude, which is quite beautiful and inspiring.

Following the service, the clergy will greet you as you depart. Be sure to let them know if you are a guest. Refreshments are served at the entrance.

Understanding Our Worship Services

All of our services are Holy Eucharist and each service
meets a unique spiritual need for our diverse congregation.

Wednesday 12:10 P.M. – The focus of this service is healing and it is led by our chapter of the Order of St. Luke healing ministry. Although not required by those who attend, those in need of prayers and anointing for healing are invited to receive both. It is during this service that the prayer needs of the parish are read and the sharing of healings and needs takes place. There is no music. A bible study precedes this service and lunch follows this service September – May. It is held in St. Mary’s Chapel June-August.

Wednesday 6:00 P.M. – This is the week's shortest worship service (35 minutes) conducted by the rector of the parish. It is used by parents who need a worship service while their kids are in youth group. It also follows the evening meal (September-May) and is used by those who will be attending Wednesday night classes. In Lent, this service is preceded by Stations of the Cross.

Saturday 4:00 P.M. – This is a traditional language (Rite I) service with no music. This service meets the needs of those who work on the weekend and those who need a service later in the day.

Sunday 7:30 A.M. – This is a traditional language (Rite I) service with no music. It meets the needs of those who rise early, those who go to work following the service, and those who enjoy the breakfast we serve following the service.

Sunday 8:50 A.M. – This is the family (Rite II) service with music and procession. Both the Episcopal Hymnal and the Celebration Hymnal are used. The Celebration Hymnal is used to meet the needs of those who enjoy lively and upbeat music with a more contemporary feel. The youth also sing from time to time at this service. One may also have breakfast before or after this service. Mr. Kevin Townsend is the Music Director for this service.

Sunday 10:50 A.M. – This is our classical service (Rite II) with music. At this service we use only Episcopal hymnody. It is a service with full choir, procession, and attendants. It is more elaborate in ceremony, has a sung Psalm, and music settings for the Eucharist. Dr. Larry Sledge is the Music Director for this service. The choir takes their vacation from mid-June until mid-August.

	If you would like, please let us know you visited with us and share a comment or question.

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Contact Us	Phone:	863.688.4502

	Fax:	863.603.4659

	Email:	rhoover@ teamallsaints.org

	Mail:	209 South Iowa Avenue Lakeland, Florida 33801

	Address:	202 South Massachusetts Avenue Lakeland, Florida 33801